Best known for her first directorial venture 36 Chowringhee Lane, which won her the National Award for best director, Aparna Sen went on to make several other critically acclaimed films, out of which Mrs. And Mr. Iyer, starring her daughter Konkana Sen gained critical and audience acclaim. She, along with Mira Nair and Deepa Mehta, is seen as one of the pioneers in Indian cinema who broke through into direction which was perceived as impossible for women.